The friendships that carry us forward

For Nola, life at RSL ANZAC  Village has brought new friendships, companionship and opportunities to care for others.

Nola is a war widow whose late husband served in the Air Force, where he helped signal aircraft into the air. She remembers him as a clever and creative man who had a particular talent for Japanese brush painting.

“He was an artist, and he was very clever,” Nola recalls.

Looking back on their life together, Nola remembers a relationship filled with love, laughter and shared experiences. They travelled together, including a memorable trip to South Africa, and Nola fondly recalls how happy they made one another. Since moving to RSL ANZAC Village less than a year ago, Nola has begun a new chapter, one shaped by the friendships she has formed within the community.

“I’ve made some lovely, lovely female friends,” she says.

Among them is her friend Rosemarie, whose friendship has become part of Nola’s life at the village. With warmth and humour, Nola describes Rosemarie as a wonderful cook, joking that their time together might be responsible for “a few more rolls here and there.” For Nola, friendship is also about caring for the people around her. She speaks about checking in on another resident who experiences health challenges and sharing homemade cake with her.

“It makes you very caring of people who are not as lucky as yourself,” Nola says. Nola describes life at RSL ANZAC Village as welcoming, with friendly people, invitations to get involved and opportunities to form new connections.

Her reflections also speak to the importance of companionship for war widows. When asked what message she would share with other war widows, Nola’s answer was simple:

“Just enjoy each other.”

For Nola, it’s a fitting reminder that while treasured memories remain part of us, there are always opportunities to create new ones, surrounded by friendship, kindness and good company.